Cherry Laurel Hedging Plants – Prunus Laurocerasus Rotundafolia

Cherry Laurel Hedging Plants – Prunus laurocerasus

Prunus laurocerasus, commonly known as Cherry Laurel, is a fast-growing evergreen hedging plant celebrated for its dense, glossy foliage and ability to provide year-round privacy and protection. Known for its adaptability and low-maintenance care, Cherry Laurel is ideal for creating privacy screens, windbreaks, or elegant garden borders. Whether in urban or rural gardens, it thrives in a variety of conditions, offering both practicality and visual appeal.

Features of Cherry Laurel Hedging

Cherry Laurel is renowned for its large, glossy green leaves that create a thick, impenetrable hedge. This makes it perfect for reducing noise and enhancing privacy. In spring, the plant produces upright clusters of fragrant, white flowers, followed by small berries that transition from red to black in autumn, offering seasonal interest. Growing rapidly at 30–60cm per year, it can reach heights of 5–6 metres if left unpruned, but regular trimming allows for neat, manageable hedges at any desired height.

Benefits for Nature

Cherry Laurel supports local wildlife by providing nesting and shelter opportunities for birds within its dense foliage. Its flowers attract bees and other pollinators, while the berries serve as a valuable winter food source for birds. Although the berries are toxic to humans and pets, they pose no threat to wildlife that naturally consumes them.

Landscaping and Design Appeal

With its rapid growth, lush foliage, and tolerance for a variety of conditions, Cherry Laurel is one of the most versatile hedging plants available. It works beautifully as a formal hedge, an informal screen, or as part of mixed borders. Its ability to thrive in shaded or exposed locations makes it a reliable choice for diverse garden styles.

Preferred Conditions

Cherry Laurel thrives in well-drained soils and adapts to loamy, sandy, and clay conditions. It performs well in full sun, partial shade, and even deep shade. Hardy in most parts of the UK, it tolerates drought once established and withstands urban pollution. Water regularly during establishment.

Choosing a Height

Smaller sizes (15–150cm) are budget-friendly but require denser planting. Larger sizes (150cm+) need fewer plants per metre and provide faster privacy. The ideal starting size is typically 110–130cm, balancing cost and quick establishment.

Root Types

Bare Root: Cost-effective, quick to plant and low delivery cost. Sold without soil and lifted during dormancy, usually October to April.

Root Ball: Mature, affordable and high survival. Field-grown with soil intact, wrapped in burlap and sometimes wire, usually available October to April.

Pot Grown: Available year-round, flexible to plant and offering the highest survival rate. Plant whenever the ground is not frozen.

Planting Densities

• Bare root 15–150cm: 4–6 plants per metre.
• Bare root 150cm+: 3–5 plants per metre.
• Root ball and pot-grown 15–90cm: 3–6 plants per metre.
• Root ball and pot-grown 90–150cm: 2–4 plants per metre.
• Root ball and pot-grown 150–250cm: 1–3 plants per metre.
• Root ball and pot-grown 250cm+: 1–2 plants per metre.

Delivery

Free specialist delivery is available on qualifying orders across most of the UK. Typical lead time is around 3–4 weeks. Deliveries are kerbside only and require suitable flat, solid access. Please provide a safe place and remain contactable on the delivery day. Avoid booking landscapers solely around estimated dates because occasional delays can occur.

Frequently Asked Questions

How fast does Cherry Laurel grow? Typically 30–60cm per year in ideal conditions.

Can it grow in shade? Yes. It thrives in full sun, partial shade and deep shade.

Is it toxic? Yes. The berries, leaves and stems contain cyanogenic compounds and are toxic if ingested by humans or pets.

How much maintenance does it need? Prune once or twice a year, usually in late spring or early autumn. Once established it is drought-tolerant.

Minimum Order Quantities

• Bare root 15–30cm: minimum 100, in increments of 5.
• Bare root 30–50cm: minimum 50, in increments of 5.
• Bare root 50–70cm: minimum 25, in increments of 5.
• Bare root 71cm+: minimum 10.
• Pot grown 15–30cm: minimum 50, in increments of 5.

Disclaimer

Plants may vary in appearance by season and maturity. Regular watering during establishment and occasional pruning help maintain health and structure. Berries, leaves and stems are toxic to humans and pets if ingested.

Choose a position in sun or shade. Keep the soil moist while allowing excess water to drain freely.

Water thoroughly after planting and check soil moisture regularly during establishment, particularly in dry or windy weather. Keep competing weeds clear and avoid piling mulch against stems.

Check support ties as the plant grows. Maintain the supplied shape with pruning appropriate to the species, taking care not to remove more old wood than that species can regenerate.

Supplied according to the option you select for this product.

Height: as selected when ordering.
Root Type: as selected when ordering.

On arrival, carefully remove outer packaging and check the plants against your order. Handle plants by their pot or root ball where possible, rather than pulling on stems or branches.

Check root moisture and water if needed. Until planting, keep the plants upright in a sheltered position and prevent roots from drying out. If supplied bare-root, keep the roots covered and moist and plant promptly when conditions allow.

Delivery arrangements and any charges are those confirmed for your order.